Car-coupling



I (No Model.)

L. G. PAOKHAM.

GAR GOUPLING. No. 549,149. Patented Nov. 5, 1895.5

WITNESSES [/VVEJVTOE? ANDREW EGRANAM. FHOTO-UTHQWASNI NBTONJIC.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWES O. PAOKI-IAM, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,149, dated November 5, 1895.

Application filed January 1'7, 1895. Serial No. 585,207. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEWES O. PACKHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Vayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Car-Couplers; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has for its object an improved car-coupler; and it consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of devices hereinafter specified and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, i which Figure 1 is a plan view showing the knuckle in full lines in unlocked position and in dotted lines in locked position within the couplerhead. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same, showing the knuckle in locked position. Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssection on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the locking-block in side elevation. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the same, in perspective, viewed from the side opposite that shown in Fig. 4.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved car-coupler belonging more particularly to the class of automatic hook couplers of the well-known Master Car-Builders type, my purpose being to secure greater efficiency, utility, and simplicity than has heretofore been secured.

To these ends I carry out my invention as follows:

A represents a coupler, and A the chambered head thereof.

B denotes a knuckle pivotally engaged in said head, as between the cars a and a/,-by means of a bolt or pin a B is the inner tongue of the knuckle, which swings in or out of the open end of the head into locked and unlocked position.

I prefer that the knuckle should work horizontally in its movement and without any rise or fall. I also prefer to construct the outer end of the tongue B with an angular recess 12, forming forks or flanges b and b at the ex tremity of said tongue.

I C denotes a locking-block to lock the tongue B of the knuckle within the chambered head. This block is constructed with a shank c at its rear lower end, said shank projecting rearward from the body of the block and jointedly connected at its outer end with the inner wall of the head, as shown at a said head being constructed with inner cars a for this purpose. With the upper end of the block is jointedly connected an operating-bar D, the jointed connection being shown at (Z, the bar D projecting through the upper portion of the coupler-head, as shown. The block 0 is so constructed as to be readily inserted into place in the head or removed therefrom without removing the knuckle. By the use of an operating-bar D there is no liability of it ever becoming foul, as where a chain is employed. A chain is liable to break and clog the coupler. Moreover, the use of a bar passing through a slot A in the upper portion of the head enables the opening of the slot to be made smaller than where a chain is used, by which means snow and ice and dirt are more effectually excluded. A bar will evidently work through the smallest possible orifice in the top of the coupler-head, while at the same time it allows the head to be made more solid and compact than would otherwise be the case,

dispensing with any pockets to become filled with dust, 'cinders, snow, or ice.

The locking-block C is constructed with a laterally-projecting rib or lug c, projecting from the back portion of the body of the block. The face of the body of said block is preferably cut away, as indicated at 0 while the lower corner opposite the rib c is also preferably cut away, as indicated at 0 This construction facilitates the desired movement of the block. The shank c and the under edge or surface of the body of the block 0 are preferably formed on a curve, as shown, to facilitate the operation of the block, as hereinafter explained.

My invention contemplates the construction of the arm A of the coupler-head solid, without any pocket therein at the side of the locking-block. As so constructed and ar- Ioo B is the outer arm or hook of the knuckle to engage a similar hook 011 the opposite coupler. \Vhen in locked position the edge C fits into the recesses 11 of the tongue, the flange Z) extending in front of the face C of the block, while the flange b extends rearward toward or adjacent to the front face of the rib c, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. By curving the lower portion of the block and its shank c as indicated and jointedly connecting the block at the rear of the shank within the coupler-head the simultaneous backward and upward movement of the block G is facilitated upon the entrance of the tongue into the chambered head, the backward movement of the block overcoming the necessity of raising the block as high as would otherwise be required, thereby dispensing with the necessity of raising said block the full width of said tongue.

My invention contemplates constructing the inner wall of the chambered head adjacent to the ribs 0 and opposite face of the block to form lateral guides for said rib, as indicated at a and a, Fig. 1, so that the block C shall always be kept in line in rising and falling. The said inner wall is also led rearward of the rib c, as indicated at a thus preventing the locking-block from moving backward unduly, and causes it always to fall forward when free to move. It will thus be seen that the block when in raised position is always forward of the center of gravity. It will further be seen that the flange 1) pro tects the locking-block 0.

As is well understood, these automatic couplers must necessarily be used at times with an ordinary draw-bar and link, in which case, but for the projection of the said flange b forward of the locking-block, the link might strike the block and thereby release the tongue of the knuckle, giving an undue slack to the train and throwing the strain of the draft to one side the center of the draw-bar and coupler; but by my improved device this is effectually prevented, as the link could never strike the face of the locking-block. The block 0 is also preferably constructed with a shoulder 0 toward its rear upper end, which will strike against the inner wall of the coupler-head when raised to let the tongue of the knuckle into locked position, as indicated at a Fig. 2.

The rib c, projecting against the inner wall a of the coupler-head, prevents any undue lateral movement of the locking-block and insures the free movement of the lockingblock.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is The combination of a coupler provided with a chambered head, a knuckle pivotally engaged in said head provided with a tongue forked at its outer extremity, a locking block having a jointed connection with the coupler head, and an operating bar connected with the locking block, said block constructed with a laterally extended rib, the front fork of the tongue resting against the front face of the locking block and the rear fork or spur projecting toward said rib when in locked position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

LEW'ES C. PACKITAM.

\Vitnesses:

O. B. BAENZIGER, MARY A. MARTIN. 

